Johnnie Johnson Trust
Charity Number: 200351
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £148,974 (2024 expenditure)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: 2-5 months (bi-annual trustee meetings)
- Grant Range: Not publicly specified
- Geographic Focus: UK-wide with Midlands priority
Contact Details
- Website: www.johnniejohnsontrust.org
- Phone: 01285 841900
- Email: Not publicly listed
- Charity Number: 200351
Overview
Established in 1961 by V.H. 'Johnnie' Johnson, the Johnnie Johnson Trust has evolved from funding a single charity (Youth Afloat) to becoming a broader grant-making trust supporting youth development activities across the UK. With annual expenditure of approximately £149,000, the trust focuses on providing one-off grants to charities offering physically and mentally challenging activities for disadvantaged and less able young people up to age 25. The trust maintains its founder's vision that adventurous activities, particularly sailing and water sports, can broaden horizons, teach teamwork and responsibility, and provide positive alternatives to street life. Today managed by Johnson's children and grandchildren, the trust continues prioritizing water sports in the Midlands while supporting a range of adventure-based youth programs nationwide.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The trust offers one-off grants for equipment or specific purposes. While exact grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, grants support capital purchases and specific project costs rather than ongoing operational funding.
Priority Areas
- Sailing and water sports activities (especially in the Midlands)
- Physically and mentally challenging activities for personal development
- Adventure-based programs for disadvantaged and less able youth
- Equipment purchases for youth organizations
- Activities that teach teamwork and responsibility
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals (only registered charities or charitable organizations)
- Recurring operational costs
- Activities for those over 25 years old
- Organizations outside the UK
- Activities that are not physically or mentally challenging
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Governance and Leadership
The trust is governed by four trustees who receive no remuneration:
- Peter Johnson (Johnnie's child)
- Jane Fordham
- Katherine Cross
- Chris Johnson (Johnnie's child)
The trustees meet bi-annually in May and October to consider applications, maintaining Johnnie Johnson's original vision that “learning to sail would give children an opportunity to better themselves and broaden their horizons.”
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Applications are submitted via online form available on the trust's website. The trust recommends downloading application questions in advance to prepare answers and required documents before starting the online submission. All questions marked in red are mandatory. Applications can be saved and reviewed for up to 30 days before submission.
Decision Timeline
- Application Deadlines: March 1st (for May meeting) and August 1st (for October meeting)
- Trustee Meetings: May and October annually
- Decision Time: 2-5 months from submission deadline to trustee decision
- Notification: Method not specified
Success Rates
Not publicly available. The trust does not publish data on application numbers or success rates.
Reapplication Policy
Not specified in available documentation.
Application Success Factors
Based on the trust's priorities and founding vision, successful applications likely demonstrate:
- Clear focus on disadvantaged or less able young people under 25
- Activities that are genuinely physically or mentally challenging
- Equipment or specific project needs rather than general funding
- Strong connection to water sports or adventure activities
- Midlands-based organizations may have advantage for water sports projects
- Evidence of how activities develop teamwork, responsibility, and provide positive alternatives
Required supporting documents include:
- Annual accounts or management accounts
- Budget supporting the specific application
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Focus applications on equipment purchases or specific project costs rather than ongoing operations
- Emphasize the challenging nature of activities and how they develop young people
- Highlight work with disadvantaged or less able youth specifically
- Water sports projects, especially in the Midlands, align with historical priorities
- Prepare application materials in advance using downloaded questions
- Submit well before deadlines as trustees only meet twice yearly
- Connect your project to Johnnie Johnson's original vision of broadening horizons through adventure
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References
- The Johnnie Johnson Trust Official Website: www.johnniejohnsontrust.org
- The Johnnie Johnson Trust - How to Apply: www.johnniejohnsontrust.org/how-to-apply/
- The Johnnie Johnson Trust - History: www.johnniejohnsontrust.org/history/
- UK Charity Commission Register: register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/200351
- 360Giving GrantNav: grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-200351